Method for alleviation of primary depressive disorders

Abstract

Gepirone and its pharmaceutically acceptable salts are useful in alleviation of certain primary depressive disorders, such as major depression with melancholia and atypical depression.

What is claimed: 
     
       1. A method for alleviation of primary depressive disorders comprising major depression with melancholia and atypical depression which method comprises administering a non-toxic therapeutically effective dose of gepirone or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof to a human in need of such treatment. 
     
     
       2. The method of claim 1 wherein major depression with melancholia is the specific primary depressive disorder. 
     
     
       3. The method of claim 1 wherein atypical depression is the specific primary depressive disorder. 
     
     
       4. The method of claims 2 or 3 wherein said human is an adult and a daily dose of from about 15 mg to 90 mg is employed. 
     
     
       5. The method of claim 4 wherein said daily dose is divided and administered b.i.d. 
     
     
       6. The method of claim 4 wherein said daily dose is divided and administered t.i.d. 
     
     
       7. The method of claim 4 wherein gepirone hydrochloride is employed and dosage is by the oral route.